Andrew Strauss has hidden his disappointments remarkably well over the years. But now, at the third time of asking and in circumstances which could not be more difficult, the man who should have been England captain by right can show everyone just how much this job means to him.

A week ago we were chuckling at Australia's woes. But, with an astonishing turn of speed, English cricket has managed to trample all over any feel-good factor and once more turn itself into a laughing stock just six months before the Ashes.